Page 56

My eyes were locked on hers.

Her smile slowly faded, replaced by the rapid rhythm of her heartbeat, or perhaps it was the silent conversation our eyes shared in that moment.

“,”

she breathed, followed by a soft giggle.

I smiled faintly and stepped closer, caging her perfectly against me.

Her gaze fluttered briefly before surrendering to the warmth of my touch, her face tilting gently into my palm.

With careful fingers, I applied the paste to her cheeks.

She opened her eyes, looking up at me with a soft smile.

“You’re far too stubborn, ,”

she whispered.

I didn’t reply, just watched her quietly.

I felt her hands press lightly against my chest as she shifted onto her toes.

I slipped an arm around her waist and drew her even closer.

The energy between us shifted as she leaned in, and I gave in to the sensation of her lips meeting mine.

At first, our kiss was slow, steady, savouring each other, but with each passing moment, the pace deepened, turning urgent and consuming.

I pulled her tighter against me.

Her back met the wall with a soft thud, and she moaned into my mouth.

The sound lit a fire under my skin, rippling through me, tightening in my core until I felt myself harden in response.

My hand moved downward, brushing over her calf as I gently gathered her lehenga, all while our lips moved with growing hunger in a quiet, desperate passion.

The gallery around us was dim and silent, cloaked in shadows.

Every slight movement echoed faintly in the stillness, adding to the thrill.

Hence, we had to be quick.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer, and I felt one of her hands slipping between us.

I paused, just enough to meet her eyes.

Her cheeks flushed, and anticipation glistened in her gaze.

She bit her lower lip, a quiet invitation, as her fingers moved to undo my lower garment.

When her hand wrapped around my erection and began to stroke gently, the soft clinking of her bangles broke the heavy silence between us.

I couldn’t hold back, and I captured her lips again, kissing her with rising urgency.

Every muscle in my body was tightening, aching for release, yet she teased, drawing out the tension between us.

In a few hurried, breathless moments, we adjusted our clothes just enough, and I slowly pushed into her.

Her moan was low, restrained, her body arching as she tried to keep quiet.

As the tip eased into her, a sharp gasp escaped both of us, but I couldn’t hold back.

I thrust in with a firm pull.

And she cried out, her body trembling against mine.

I froze for a moment, looking into her eyes as they glimmered with unshed tears gathered at the corners, and I bit my lip, holding still, letting her adjust to me.

Those few seconds dragged like a storm waiting to break.

Then she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine in a deep, desperate kiss.

I began to move, slowly at first, our hips grinding against each other in sync.

Her moans grew louder, breathless, and raw.

I felt her hot breath against my ear, her fingers clutching at the back of my head, her body arching into mine with each thrust.

The faint jingling of her anklet bells echoed through the empty corridor, merging with the rhythmic sound of our bodies.

My thrusts grew deeper, faster, and she bounced against me, barely able to keep still.

Her moans were rising, and so I captured her lips again, muffling the sound, losing myself in her taste, her heat.

My body trembled as the tension finally gave way to release, and in that exact moment, she shuddered against me.

Her sharp intake of breath, her body tightening, everything made the sensation hit even harder.

She breathed out, soft and shaky, as I slowly lowered her back onto her feet.

Her legs wobbled beneath her, and she let out a small laugh, making me chuckle.

She playfully slapped my chest and smoothed her lehenga back down, adjusting her clothes.

Her dupatta had slipped to the floor, and her hair was wild and tousled, but she looked beautiful, radiant.

I tucked myself back in and leaned against the wall, breathing deeply to calm the fire still buzzing through my veins.

“Are you okay?”

I asked, glancing at her.

“Yes,”

she said with a smile.

“Are you?”

I chuckled.

“What’s going to happen to me?”

She laughed softly, and I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around her in a gentle embrace.

I kissed her forehead, holding her close until her breathing steadied again.

“I have to go,”

she murmured after a moment.

I exhaled deeply and nodded. “Okay.”

Nudging me away, she gave me one last look and walked back toward the chamber.

I turned to the nearby pot and washed my hands, letting the cool water help ground me again.

I had to look after the preparations and everything.

The rest of the day was spent meeting with guests and finalising arrangements.

Only one day remained until Ranvijay's wedding.

After overseeing the preparations, I decided to visit him.

I stepped into his chamber and found him sitting on the couch with a book in his hand, like always.

I cleared my throat, and he looked up.

“Bhaisa,”

he greeted with a warm smile, standing up.

I returned the smile and asked, “How are you?”

He sat beside me and replied, “I’m good,”

“I hope you're not freaking out about the wedding?” I asked.

He chuckled.

“Why would I? No one is letting me do anything.

Feels like a holiday,”

I laughed at his reply.

His face glowed from the haldi, and a faint stain of mehendi marked his hands.

I smiled, saying, “Aishwarya is going to be a lucky girl,”

He blinked, giving me a soft but lazy smile.

“I don’t know, Bhaisa.

With all the responsibilities and work, I worry I won't be able to give her the time she deserves,”

“Don’t worry, you’ll manage.

I know you will,”

I reassured.

He nodded, then added, “I’m just unsure.

I don’t know her.

What if she doesn’t like it here? Or me? I don’t know her.

What would she be like? Her father placed so many conditions—I didn’t even get to meet her,”

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

“She might be feeling the same, maybe even more scared.

She didn’t get a chance to know you either.

She, too, might not know what you expect,”

I said, and he looked at me, worry clouding his features.

“What if it doesn’t work out?”

he asked, his voice layered with distress.

“You have half the kingdom's ladies falling for you, and you're scared she won’t like you? Impossible,”

I said with a grin.

“Once she gets to know you, she’ll fall in love.

But no matter how she is—remember, she’ll be the only one for you,”

He nodded.

“I know, Bhaisa,”

I smirked, “Still, I feel a little bad for her already,”

“Why?”

he asked, frowning at my statement.

“Because you'll either give your free time to her, or your books,”

He smiled.

“I'm worried about that too,”

“Bhaisa,”

Agastya’s voice interrupted us.

We looked up to find him walking in, tired but relaxed.

He had been helping Nandani manage the guests and preparations.

“Come, Agastya,”

I said, shifting to make space on the couch.

He sat down, and I wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

“So, how’s everything going?” I asked.

“Very well,”

he replied.

“All set for the wedding?”

He nodded and looked at Ranvijay.

“Yes.

All set to welcome our new Bhabhisa,”

Ranvijay gave him a pointed look.

“Don’t you dare tease her like you tease Bhabhisa,”

“I won’t.

But I can’t guarantee she won’t enjoy being teased by me,”

Agastya smirked.

Ranvijay gritted his teeth, and I laughed.

“Possessive much, already,”

Agastya added, “I gathered a little information about her,”

“Like what?”

Ranvijay asked, curious.

“She’s just nineteen and speaks very little.

I heard it from her former attendant,”

I inhaled deeply.

“No matter what, her father’s actions weren’t right,”

Ranvijay nodded.

“No one deserves that.

I still don’t understand what drove him to such a decision, wanting to wed his daughter off to me,”

“Maybe something’s wrong with her?”

Agastya suggested.

Ranvijay shook his head.

“Even if there is, she’s still human.

Nothing justifies what he did,”

I looked at him seriously.

“You can back out if you’re not comfortable,”

“No, Bhaisa.

I want to marry her.

Her father tried to sell her—imagine the life she’s had.

If I walk away now, she’ll be ruined.

I can’t do that. If I can save her, I will,”

I nodded slowly.

“Very well.

But what about love?”

“I will love her,”

he said firmly.

Agastya grinned.

“Awww, how romantic, Bhaisa!”

We laughed together and spent the rest of the evening talking.

After bidding them good night, I returned to my chamber.

I found Nandani seated on the couch, blowing air on her henna-stained hands.

She looked up at me and smiled.

“Is he alright?”

she asked.

I nodded.

“Not really, but he’s trying to hide it,”

I sat beside her and glanced at her mehendi.

“It’s beautiful,”

“Really?”

she asked.

“Yes,”

I replied.

She asked me to help remove her jewellery, and I gladly did so.

The palace bustled with people even late at night, and the staff was up early the next morning.

Her family arrived for the wedding.

“Pranaam, Baapusa,”

she greeted her father warmly.

I joined my hands to greet him as well.

“Pranaam, Rajaji,”

“What is this 'Rajaji'?”

Daadisa interrupted.

“Call him Baapusa, like Nandani does, Jawaaisa,”

I smiled a little, feeling shy.

“Ji, Daadisa,”

Turning to him again, a little hesitant, I spoke softly, “Pranaam, Baapusa,”

He smiled and pulled me in for a hug.

Though his embrace was warm, I noticed he didn’t seem as healthy as before.

“Are you alright? Your health—?” I asked.

He smiled, brushing it off.

“Absolutely fine,”

I nodded.

“Welcome.”

The day buzzed with excitement and celebration.

Nandani managed the guests with grace and hospitality.

I stayed busy with last-minute arrangements—we had to depart early the next morning.

That night, we barely slept.

The sangeet49 continued late into the night.

Agastya and I made Ranvijay dance, though he was visibly nervous.

Finally, the day of his wedding arrived.

***